Packs: Strength in Numbers, written and illustrated by Hannah Salyer. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Raincoast. 2020. $23.99 ages 4 and up

 

"When we ants head underground, 
we are known as a nest. We march
miles across the forest floor, gathering 
green leaves as we go. Once we return 
to our colony, we store the leaves in our 
cellar to help grow food that we will eat
later. 

Together, we harvest!"

I am so thankful to Fernanda, Publicist at Raincoast, for taking the time to ensure that I was able to see a copy of this fascinating book! 

The front endpapers show a herd of elephants moving forward into the page turn that heralds the title page which shows a part of a colony of ants munching on a found leaf. Turn the page again to a double page spread (in a mostly gray tone) of a 'pack' of wolves moving from verso to recto. On to a 'huddle' of bold and colorful penguins, and finally to a 'pod' of dolphins. Absolutely captivating for all who will be lucky enough to share this book. Did I call it fascinating? It is that ... and so much more. 

Along the way we are reminded by Ms. Salyer that 'Together, we are better.'  

The format then changes to show a variety of species, illustrated and accompanied by informative text that names each collective noun and one of the things that make it unique. I love the following one because of the collective noun itself. I don't remember hearing it previously. 

"We are wildebeest, also know as gnus, and our herd is 
called an implausibility - often a million strong. We are the 
largest species of antelope to roam the Serengeti. Every year
we migrate and cover lots of ground; we follow the rain and 
use our numbers as a shield to keep predators at bay.

Together, we travel!"

Following those spreads, the author returns the earlier format for the final three, ending with a detailed and beautiful reminder that humans are also one of the 'packs'. In back matter, Ms. Salyer reminds readers that all species help each other survive - and thrive. Many animals need our help. These are actions that can only be taken by humans. We need to step up. A numbered display identifies each of the species included, and a list for further reading encourages additional research. 

In a Kirkus Profile published in January 2020, Hannah Salyer said this: 

As a children’s book writer and illustrator, especially, I feel it’s my duty to acknowledge what’s going on in our environment. Kids are growing up and, in different ways, witnessing these effects, whether it’s via shows and news, whether it’s in their own backyard. It is really important to me to end Packs with a note acknowledging climate change and habitat loss. We’re also living in a time where people like to draw lines in the sand and put up walls, and that’s not what this book is about at all. I wanted to make that clear. The more we find out about our Earth, the more it becomes evident how interdependent we are in every way.